With an aim to deepen bilateral cooperation between India and Germany, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held wide-ranging talks on Saturday.
Their talks covered a wide range of topics, with a focus on boosting bilateral ties in the areas of clean energy, trade and new technologies. The talks came hours after Scholz arrived in Delhi on a two-day visit to India, her first in the country after becoming German chancellor in December 2021, ending Angela Merkel’s historic 16-year tenure at the top post.
Earlier, Modi received Scholz at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the German leader was accorded a ceremonial welcome.
In a tweet, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Scholz’s visit is an opportunity to further deepen the multi-faceted India-Germany strategic partnership.
Bagchi wrote, “PM Narendra Modi welcomes Bundeschancellor Olaf Scholz at Hyderabad House for bilateral talks. Focus of talks will be on strengthening bilateral cooperation, building on green and sustainable development partnership and economic partnership and building closer ties in defense ” Twitter.
The Modi-Scholz talks began around 11:50 am. Ahead of the discussions between the two leaders, officials said the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in the Indo-Pacific region are also expected to figure prominently in the discussions.
He said the talks would also focus on expanding cooperation in the areas of trade, defence, clean energy, climate change and new technologies.
Modi and Scholz held bilateral talks in the Indonesian resort city of Bali on November 16 last year on the sidelines of the G20 summit.
The first meeting between the two leaders took place on May 2 last year during Modi’s visit to Berlin for the 6th Indo-German Inter-Governmental Dialogue (IGC).
Modi then visited the Alpine palace of Schloss Elmau in southern Germany to attend the annual summit of the G7 group on June 26 and 27. Scholz invited Modi to the G7 summit under the German presidency.
In the last few years, relations between India and Germany have been strengthened in several key areas.
Scholz will leave for Bengaluru on Sunday morning and leave the southern city around 5.30 pm.
(with PTI inputs)
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